Torch Relay Route: Rehearsal East Mids

17 April 2012, 14:38 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Highways Agency advise drivers in the East Midlands to plan ahead for Olympic Torch Relay rehearsal on Friday.

Drivers in the East Midlands are being told to plan ahead of Friday as officials from the 2012 Games rehearse the Oympic Torch Relay route. 

A convoy of 15 vehicles will head through Leicester, Quorn and Loughborough to trial the logistics of the 70-day relay this summer. 

The M1 around junction 23 and A1 near Stamford are likely to be the most disrupted. 

The Route

The route will affect roads managed by the Highways Agency at the following locations and expected times.

• At 10:30 the A512 Ashby Road at Shells Nook Lane (close to M1, junction 23), is due to be closed for approximately 45 minutes. 
• At 16:43 the torch is due to join the A1 from the A43, travelling north for approximately 1 mile. 

Highways Agency Traffic Officers will be patrolling the motorways in the East Midlands to clear any incidents quickly, while staff at the regional control centre will be monitoring the network via CCTV and using other state-of-the-art technology to keep traffic moving. 

Plan Your Journey 

Stephen Parker, emergency planning officer for the Highways Agency in the East Midlands, said: 

'Road users who are planning to use routes in the East Midlands affected by the Olympic Torch Relay rehearsal can help us to help them by planning their journey in advance and leaving extra time, as some of our roads in the area are likely to be busy while the Torch is moving through. 

'We will use our electronic motorway message signs to give drivers information about any diversions and delays, and provide up-to-the minute information about traffic conditions on the motorways and other major roads we manage using local radio. 

'Those with iPhones will be able to check the traffic conditions on these routes before they leave or when parked using our Highways Agency travel news app or can follow our Twitter feed at @HAtraffic_emids.'